I live in Boulder Colorado and there is a large insight community here. I follow the teachings of Thai forest masters and have read the stories of some of the monasteries founded in Australia, the UK and in California. I was wondering what actions I could take to help create the conditions for a forest monastery in Colorado.

is the mind us? Is it ours? Slash on down! Whatever is going to be destroyed, let it be destroyed. We feel no regrets. We want only the truth. (Ajahn Maha Boowa)

Considering that there is a large insight meditation community in around Boulder, perhaps there is a group that meets regularly who is associated with the Ajahn Chah lineage in Thailand. In which case I recommend that you get involved with the group who may already have plans to build a local centre or monastery. If there is no local group for your tradition you may wish to host a weekly get-together for group meditation. This would be a valuable way to support your co-practitioners and develop the necessary ground-base for a monastery years or decades down the track.kind regards,

Ben

“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.” - Cormac McCarthy, The Road

Learn this from the waters:in mountain clefts and chasms,loud gush the streamlets,but great rivers flow silently.- Sutta Nipata 3.725

mpcahn wrote:I live in Boulder Colorado and there is a large insight community here. I follow the teachings of Thai forest masters and have read the stories of some of the monasteries founded in Australia, the UK and in California. I was wondering what actions I could take to help create the conditions for a forest monastery in Colorado.

I guess the first step is to find people willing to invest in a large plot of forested land, the second to find such a suitable plot for sale.

“Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.” ― Ajahn Chah

I just checked out the 3 websites above. Jeta Grove seems to be coming along and monks will be taking residence this summer. The other 2 websites have not been updated for more than a year. Just wondering if anyone has more recent news about them..

Invite a small group of monks to come stay for a rains season (summer). The initial facilities could be rented. But that would give your group an opportunity to test the waters, i.e. is there really enough support to maintain a monastic community. If so, plan to do the same the following year (rains season and rented facilities), but form a committee to start the land search and capitol campaign for a permanent monastery. Also, once you have monks on the ground there, they will be a big help in the planning.

In the meantime, invite monastics to come and teach for a weekend or short event. Repeat often. When your community has exposure to monastics, the desire to establish a continued presence will spread like wildfire.

"As I am, so are others;as others are, so am I."Having thus identified self and others,harm no one nor have them harmed.

I skipped the obvious bit. Form a non-profit early, with the mission to invite monastics to teach in Colorado. When you get to the stage when you are ready to make a land deal, banks and lenders will want to see that you have a large support network of donors, especially people who pledge monthly donations. Both large and small donors will be needed, but generally speaking 100 people who pledge $10 a month is better than two people who pledge $500 a month.

"As I am, so are others;as others are, so am I."Having thus identified self and others,harm no one nor have them harmed.

I just checked out the 3 websites above. Jeta Grove seems to be coming along and monks will be taking residence this summer. The other 2 websites have not been updated for more than a year. Just wondering if anyone has more recent news about them..

In November I talked with someone who has worked all last Summer helping to build Forest Dhamma monastery. He showed me some pictures and it's looking good. I can't recall the exact dates, but some of the buildings will be completed this Summer and I believe two of the men working on the place plan to ordain and take up residence as soon as the main hall and kuti's are ready.

Therein what are 'six (types of) disrespect'? One dwells without respect, without deference for the Teacher; one dwells without respect, without deference for the Teaching; one dwells without respect, without deference for the Order; one dwells without respect, without deference for the precepts; one dwells without respect, without deference for heedfulness; one dwells without respect, without deference for hospitality. These are six (types of) disrespect.:Vibh 945